Christie to freeholder: 'I will f---ing destroy you'

Governor Chris Christie addressed the press with the release of investigation into the GWB scandal and the resignation of longtime friend and confidant David Sampson as chairman of the NJ and NY Port Authority. STAFF VIDEO BY PETER ACKERMAN

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Keansburg, NJ, 11/05/12 ---- New Jersey Governor Chris Christie gives briefing during visit to the Bolger Middle school in Keansburg. The governor was there to vist families and volunteers affected by Hurricane Sandy.
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WARNING: This article contains explicit, offensive language. The F-word is used throughout the story by Gov. Chris Christie and a Monmouth County freeholder.

We are reporting the full content of the testimony, and subsequent interview, because of the governor’s role in the state and on the national stage as an adviser to GOP presidential candidate Donald J. Trump.

NEWARK - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie threatened to "fucking destroy" fellow Republican Monmouth County Freeholder John Curley after Curley called him a "fat fuck" in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, according to testimony today from the Bridgegate trial.

The exchange between the governor and the freeholder came up during testimony from former Christie staffer Christopher Stark.

Stark said Curley called him with a "curt" message after Sandy because Curley believed Christie was taking credit for recovery efforts in the aftermath of the 2012 storm, when local elected officials like Curley were doing the work on the ground.

According to Stark's testimony, Curley said, referring to Christie, "Who does that fat fuck think he is?"

Stark, a former regional director in the governor’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, said Christie then called Curley to express his displeasure.

"Who the fuck do you think you are calling me a fat fuck?" Stark testified Christie said. "I'm the fucking governor of this state."

Christie then told Curley to be at an event in Keansburg the next day or "I will fucking destroy you" with robo calls to tell Republicans not to vote for him, Stark testified. Curley was seeking reelection in 2012.

Curley, reached by phone Wednesday afternoon, confirmed the exchange but said he recalled slight differences.

Curley said the exchange came in Union Beach after Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno spoke. Curley, who was the director of the freeholder board at the time, said he turned to Christie staffers and said, "So where is that fat motherfucker? Out running for governor? We need help here and these people need help here immediately."

Curley said Christie called him the next day as he was driving.

"He yelled for a good 10 minutes. 'F-this, f-that and the other thing,'" Curley said. Curley said he apologized to Christie because he thought it was wrong to make fun of someone's physical attributes.

Curley confirmed Christie "ordered" him to the Keansburg event with a threat of political attack. Curley said he attended not because of Christie's threat, but because he already had plans to meet with Keansburg's mayor.

Curley said he again apologized to Christie, re-emphasizing the area's need for help in the storm recovery. Curley recalled Christie responding, "Yeah, but we've got to work together."

Curley said he did not feel like Christie worked against him politically since that exchange, but the two also have not interacted much since then.

"I have had no relationship with him, but then again there was no reason to," Curley said. "If he were at the Hall of Records (headquarters of Monmouth County government), I would certainly greet him. Would I run out to a town hall meeting? No, I've given up on town halls."